Steaming Shrinkage Cylinder Test Procedure and Method

Steaming shrinkage is a method of measuring the dimensional change of a fabric by steaming and ironing. The fabric to be tested is marked according to the specified dimensions. After 30s, it is taken out of the machine and cooled for 30s. This is repeated 3 times to test and calculate the rate of dimensional change of the fabric in the warp and weft directions.

The Steaming Shrinkage Cylinder is used to test the shrinkage of the fabric after steam fumigation in an unstressed condition. To test the shrinkage of a fabric treated in the Steaming Test Chamber, a 250mm reference point is marked on the fabric in advance using a shrinkage scale and the percentage of shrinkage is read directly from the scale after the test.

 

 

Steaming cylinder with built-in steam generator to test the dimensional stability of the fabric in an unstressed condition, with stainless steel sample holder for testing 4 fabrics simultaneously and automatic timer. The steam stability shrinkage scale is used to test the dimensional stability of the fabric when steaming.

 

The scale is used to mark a 250mm reference point on the fabric before the test and to read the percentage shrinkage directly from the scale after the test.

 

At normal atmospheric pressure, the instrument can dry four sample fabrics at once. The samples are not subject to any mechanical constraints and therefore do not require vacuum cooling. The unit also provides a reproducible measurement of the shrinkage component resulting from the moisture compression process. This shrinkage is inevitable during the compression process.

 

The cylinder inside the Steaming Shrinkage Cylinder has a double insulated wall in which the sample is placed. Steam can be injected into the apparatus by a steam generating device, either manually or automatically by connecting the apparatus to a water source. There is an automatic timer inside the apparatus which gives a prompt every 30 seconds as required by BS4323 and ISO3005. A standard shrinkage ruler and coloured pen are also available to record shrinkage.